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The Global Gender Equality Constitutional Database is a repository of gender equality related provisions in 194 constitutions from around the world. The Database was updated in partnership with the International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) and with support from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) and the Government of Japan. Experience its wealth and depth of information by starting your search now.
Religious Law
- EnglishWE the people of Vanuatu, …
HEREBY proclaim the establishment of the united and free Republic of Vanuatu founded on traditional Melanesian values, faith in God, and Christian principles,
… (Preamble) - FrenchNOUS, Peuple de Vanuatu, …
PROCLAMONS la création de la République libre et unie de Vanuatu, fondée sur les valeurs traditionnelles mélanésiennes, la foi en Dieu et les principes chrétiens.
… (Préambule)
Religious Law
- EnglishNo law may be passed respecting an establishment of religion
… (Art. IV, Sec. 2)
Religious Law
- English
…
(2) Under this Constitution every person has the following fundamental duties and responsibilities to themselves, their dependents, and others –
(a) to respect society, communities, islands, leaders, and cultural practices and norms; to know their duties and roles in society despite different religious beliefs and practices, ...
(b) to uphold the Christian principles of a family unit, ...
(c) in the case of parents, to care for and not neglect their children, and to teach children to uphold their duties, Tuvaluan ways of life, and Christian principles;
...
(f) in the case of religious leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions, to unite and contribute to communities, to help their religious group, to help to improve the lives of all people, to love and respect all people, and to respect the different religions of others;
(g) In the case of leaders, to respect Island Community customs and traditions; to encourage Christian principles; to bring peace and harmony, unity, and respect to the island, different religious groups, men, women, youth, and children,
... (Sec. 43)
Religious Law
- English
WE, the People of Tuvalu: -
...
REJOICING in the coming of Christianity to our home;
AFFIRMING our identity as a Christian nation;
...
ACKNOWLEDGING God as the Almighty and Everlasting Lord and Giver of all good things, humbly placing ourselves under His good providence, and seeking His blessing upon us and our lives;
REAFFIRMING our desire to constitute ourselves as a free and democratic sovereign nation based on Christian Principles, Tuvaluan values and culture and the Rule of Law;
… (Preamble)
Religious Law
- EnglishThe Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth. (Sec. 116)
Customary Law
- EnglishCourt decisions shall be consistent with this Constitution, Micronesian customs and traditions, and the social and geographical configuration of Micronesia. In rendering a decision a court shall consult and apply sources of the Federated States of Micronesia. (Art. XI, Sec. 11)
Customary Law
- English(1) Every person has the right to freedom of conscience, thought and religion and the practice of his religion and beliefs, including freedom to manifest and propagate his religion and beliefs in such a way as not to interfere with the freedom of others, except to the extent that the exercise of that right is regulated or restricted by a law that complies with Section 38 (general qualifications on qualified rights).
…
(5) A reference in this section to religion includes a reference to the traditional religious beliefs and customs of the peoples of Papua New Guinea. (Sec. 45)
Customary Law
- EnglishParliament shall provide for the establishment of village or island courts with jurisdiction over customary and other matters and shall provide for the role of chiefs in such courts. (Art. 52)
- FrenchLe Parlement crée des tribunaux de village ou d'île compétents en matière coutumière ou autre, et définit le rôle des chefs auprès de ces tribunaux. (Art. 52)
Customary Law
- English
(1) The Preamble acknowledges that Tuvalu is an Independent State based on Christian principles, the Rule of Law, Tuvaluan values, culture and tradition, and respect for human dignity.
(2) This includes recognition of-
(a) the right to worship, or not to worship, in whatever way the conscience of the individual tells him; and
(b) the right to hold, to receive and to communicate opinions, ideas and information.
(3) Within Tuvalu, the freedoms of the individual can only be exercised having regard to the rights or feelings of other people, the Charter of Duties and Responsibilities in section 43 and to the effect on society.
(4) It may therefore be necessary in certain circumstances to regulate or place some restrictions on the exercise of those rights, if their exercise—
(a) may be divisive, unsettling or offensive to the people; or
(b) may directly threaten Tuvaluan values or culture.
(5) Subject to section 15 (definition of “reasonably justifiable in a democratic society”) nothing contained in a law or done under a law shall be considered to be inconsistent with section 23 (freedom of belief); or section 24 (freedom of expression); or section 25 (freedom of assembly and association); or section 26 (freedom of movement); or section 27 (freedom from discrimination) to the extent the law makes provision regulating or placing restrictions on any exercise of the right-
(a) to spread beliefs; or
(b) to communicate opinions, ideas and information;
(c) to assemble and associate with others;
(d) to move freely or reside within Tuvalu or to enter and to leave Tuvalu; or
(e) to not be discriminated against;
if the exercise of that right may otherwise conflict with subsection (4). (Sec. 29)
Customary Law
- English(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Solomon Islands Independence Order 1978(a) Solomon Islands shall be divided into Honiara city and provinces.
(2) Parliament shall by law -
...
(b) make provision for the government of Honiara city and the provinces and consider the role of traditional chiefs in the provinces. (Sec. 114)